Ken says: Lake level stand 597.81 as of today's report. Discharge rate is 2370 cfs and infow is 1050. Lake is on the fall at the rate of 2-3" per day with the north end of lake still a little muddy. The crappie have left there winter homes already following the shad back in major creek arms for a easy meal and warm water ( watch for the gulls diving ). At one time we had water temps. in the high 40's close to 50's on the south end of lake in some places. When cleaning the fish I examined some of the Crappies stomachs and everyone was full of shad. Looks like the 3 inch shad was on the menu for the most part. At one point a crappie hit our Baby Shad bait (black & chartreuse ) with a 3" shad hanging out of it's mouth. The fish look healthy. Some were on the skinny side but with a good appetite and should rebound nicely. This could be expected with the cold and 4 inch of ice plus the snow cover for the hole month of February. The Crappie population as a hole looks good for the up and coming spawn. Get your rods out and knock the dust off put oil and new line on them and get ready for great fishing season.. Just remember water temps are still very cold so pair up when you can wear your PFD and be safe.. Tightlines
